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June 2003 Table of Contents
Special Feature
Transitioning to Culturally Relevant Worship
By David Taylor, Student Matters
Finding points of entry for change without setting yourself up for a job change.
You've all heard the scenario.'Church X' decides that changes and updates in worship are long overdue, so everything gets changed in one week. Worship is moved from the century-old red brick sanctuary to the gym. The youth group has a bonfire in the back aparking lot with the hymnals. The organist and pianist get their pink slips, and the choir is told to ditch the choir robes and wear all black. To top it off, the pastor's movie clip finale to his message is not only followed by no invitation, but people are told they can meet with one of the staff across the street at Starbucks after the service if they'd like to "talk."
Now that example may be extreme, but we've all experienced the growing pains that go with making even small changes in worship. You can honestly be led by the Holy Spirit to reach out to people through relevant worship and still have your head chopped off by the deacons, elders, or seniors on the third row. Despite the possible consequences, we've all got to find a point of entry for change and then actually walk through it.
In my early years of ministry, my rebel spirit constantly found trouble...and still does at times. But I've learned some temperance and wisdom in leading people through change without totally and completely offending them. Here are a few simple steps that should get anyone down the road to being culturally relevant in worship. And if you ascribe to the purpose driven mentality and style of ministry, value must be placed on cultural relevance in corporate worship.
Assess Your Audience Generationally
Think about the people attending your worship in terms of what they value, their work ethic, their thought process (linear vs. mosaic), their relationships, etc. If you approach planning and change in worship with these different groups in mind, you'll find much greater success in being culturally relevant to all.
Seniors (born 1929 or earlier)
Builders (born 1930-1945)
Boomers (born 1946-1964)
GenXers (born 1965-1981)
Millennials (born 1982 or later)
Different people place somewhat different parameters on these generations, but the characteristics of each remain the same. If you need a refresher, check out this website and its links: http://tomorrowtoday.biz/generations/
Two important things to remember are how people think and what they value. You need to clearly understand the difference between linear and mosaic thinkers. The dividing line is generally placed between Baby Boomers and GenXers. Boomers and up think in a linear fashion, following a methodical process to arrive at a logical conclusion. GenXers and down take a mosaic approach, often spending longer to find the same answer and wandering through the thought process to get there. Linears don't typically respond to intimacy and transparency while Mosaics will write you off if you don't come across as sincere and openly honest.
The dividing line is a little different when it comes to generational values. The top and bottom (Seniors and Millennials) groups place emphasis on others and value community. The middle generations, Boomers and GenXers, despite their career aspiration and materialistic differences, are much more concerned about themselves... Boomers in terms of career and success by the politically correct standards... Xers in their own spiritual fulfillment and in establishing personal connections they feel their parents failed to provide.
These broad generational divides have proven true for the masses in both the churched and non-churched worlds. But don't be offended by generalizations about your own generation. A heart changed by an experience with Jesus can rise above the typical generational tendencies.
Apply Generational Understanding To Your Planning
As you plan, consider the median age of your audience, their needs and values, and the life issues they are most likely addressing. Make that a target point or place to start in your quest for change. Though over time you may want to offer something specific for everyone, it's often possible to cross-generational lines with common interests. For example, a sketch dealing with temptation reaches out to everybody when multi-generational actors are used. A movie clip touching on self-esteem issues for teens will reach Millennials. Older GenX or Boomer parents will also be interested and if set-up or followed-up correctly, Builder and Senior grandparents will always care about what concerns the grandchildren they love.
The style issue is never-ending and affected by the same generational parameters. Print music for choirs and traditional vocal groups is still largely influenced by Boomers and keyboard-driven. The acoustic sound of Post-Moderns will never overtake the choral medium...the two just don't mix that well. Worship music that dominates most contemporary services and shares the billing in blended services is mostly influenced by GenXers. Although keyboards play a part, it is mainly guitar-driven with more simple sounds and harmonies and best led by bands and small vocal groups. The influence of Millennials on worship music is yet to be experienced. Look at the Billboard charts and you'll find their hip-hop style preferences including pop, Latin, rap, and R&B are a return to keyboard-driven music. It is very likely that in a few years, worship will take a turn to bigger, louder, less acoustic sounds as today's teens exert greater control over church music.
All that about music to say that you need to be thinking ahead. Begin to employ styles that are current even if they aren't your styles of choice. And please, if you're going to attempt to be current in your worship style...do the style right. There's nothing worse than a "churchy" imitation of something people listen to every day.
Be Forward Thinking
As you plan and lead worship, always be forward thinking. Your ministry, your worship leadership, and your own personal walk with the Lord will most certainly end up dry and empty if you become satisfied with where you are. Find points of entry for cultural relevance through music, drama, and multi-media presentations...even dance. Senior Pastors and Music Pastors should work together to lead their people in forward thinking ministry. I assure you that if you've led your congregation to have a heart for all people, to want to see the unchurched come to know Jesus Christ, and to value the needs of others, they will follow as you transition to culturally relevant worship.
David Taylor lives in Orlando, FL, with his wife and young son. They currently lead worship there at a new church start. He has served several churches in the areas of worship and music, media, missions and student music. He now serves as Director of Student Matters: an urban mission group that designs custom mission trips for students and adults to 18 U.S. cities. He also gives leadership to the new publishing company: Dakota Music. Cultural relevance in ministry coupled with a desire to impact the unchurched through missions and the arts is at the heart of the work of Student Matters and Dakota Music. Find out more at www.studentmatters.com or contact David at 1-877-788-3628 for information on the ministry or his teaching/speaking availability.
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